Forgiveness is also a Process

It’s hard to forget the pain, especially when it comes from the people you dearly love and care for. This is the reason why you need to go through the process and learn to forgive. It’s not just a one-time, big-time decision that you need to make. It’s a constant declaration – an everyday decision. You need to face the impact of the mistakes that they made. Things won’t be easy but remember that real forgiveness is not about forgetting the pain but it’s about trusting that God will help you along the healing process. You forgive not just for the sake of the offender, but you do it to set yourself free from bitterness. It’s going to be very challenging at first. Many times, you will be reminded and triggered about what happened. But just keep on walking with God, and trust that He will soon heal your heart.

Your pain is valid. Yes, it’s real. And just because God asks you to forgive doesn’t mean He never recognizes what you truly feel inside. He is not that insensitive. He knows that it hurts. Maybe you feel like God never cares for you because He consistently asks you to release grace to those who caused you pain. Maybe you think that He is unfair because it looks like He favors your offenders. But the truth is, God is just. He knows your heart and wants to set you free from the chains of the past. He wants you to let go and simply surrender. In such a way, you are also allowing God to reign over your emotions and negative thoughts.

Don’t worry. God will never leave you. He will never ask you to do something without His guidance. He will be there for you. Maybe you think that forgiveness only happens when you forget the pain, but the truth is, you still need to go through a very long process. That’s why you don’t have to wait for the pain to disappear. You just need to listen to His voice and acknowledge His instruction. Declare forgiveness even if your feelings don’t want to participate. Let the Holy Spirit lead you. It may sometimes take a long process, but the more you honor God, even in the most painful season of your life, the more you will experience His great love.

Consistently release forgiveness to those who broke your heart, and when you face situations that will remind you about the pain, just learn to receive God’s love again and again. Humbly come to His presence and cry it out to Him. Face it with God. You don’t have to do things on your own. Rely on His strength and let His grace remind you that you will soon experience complete healing. Remember that forgiveness is not just a decision to make, but it is also a process.